THEN calling his twelve disciples, he gave them power and authority
over all devils, and to cure diseases. (2)And he sent them to preach
the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. (3)And he said to them, Take
nothing for the journey, neither staffs, nor satchel, nor bread, nor
money, nor have two coats each. (4)And into whatsoever house ye enter,
there abide, and thence go out. (5)And whosoever shall not receive you,
when ye go out of that city, shake off the dust from your feet, for a
testimony against them. (6)And they went forth, and passed through the
villages, preaching the gospel, and performing cures everywhere.
(7)Then Herod the tetrarch heard of all things that were done by him;
and he was in much distraction of mind, because it was said by some,
that John was risen from the dead: (8)and of some that Elias had
appeared; and of others, that one of the ancient prophets was risen
again. (9)And Herod said, John I beheaded; but who is this, of whom I
hear such things? And he sought to see him.
(10)And when the apostles returned, they told him what they had done.
And taking them, he withdrew privately into a desert place belonging to
the city called Bethsaida. (11)But when the multitudes knew it, they
followed him and receiving them, he spake to them concerning the
kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of a cure. (12)Now the
day began to decline: and the twelve coming to him, said, Dismiss the
multitude, that going away into the villages and farms round about,
they may lodge and find provision; for here we are in a desert place.
(13)Then he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have
no more than five loaves, and two fishes; unless we go somewhere and
buy provisions for all this multitude: (14)for there were about five
thousand men. Then said he to his disciples, Make them sit down by
fifties each in companies. (15)And they did so: and they made them all
sit down. (16)And taking the five loaves, and the two fishes, looking
up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to
set before the multitude. (17)And they did all eat, and were filled;
and there were taken up of the fragments which were more than enough
for them, twelve baskets.
(18)And it came to pass, as he had been praying in retirement, his
disciples were with him, and he asked them, Who do the multitudes say
that I am? (19)And they answering said, John the Baptist; but some
Elias; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again. (20)And
he said to them, But who do ye say that I am? Then Peter answering
said, The Messiah of God. (21)And strictly charging them, he commanded,
that they should tell no man this: (22)saying, The Son of man must
suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and chief priests,
and scribes, and be put to death, and on the third day rise again.
(23)And he said unto them, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (24)For whosoever
would preserve his life shall lose it; but whosoever would lose his
life for my sake, shall preserve it. (25)For what advantage hath a man
in gaining all the would, if he destroy himself, or be punished with
the loss of life? (26)For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my
words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his
own glory, and his father's, and of the holy angels. (27)And I tell you
of a certainty, there are some of those who stand here, who shall not
taste death, till they see the kingdom of God.
(28)And it was about eight days after these discourses, that taking
Peter, and John, and James, he went up into a mountain to pray. (29)And
it came to pass, as he was at prayer, that the appearance of his
countenance was altered, and his raiment white and refulgent. (30)And,
lo! two men conversed with him, who were Moses and Elias: (31)who
appeared in glory, and mentioned his departure, which he was ready to
accomplish at Jerusalem. (32)But Peter and they who were with him were
weighed down with sleep: but when they awoke, they beheld his glory,
and the two men who were standing with them. (33)And it came to pass,
as they were departing from him, Peter said unto Jesus, it is well that
we are here, and we will make three tents, one for thee, and one for
Moses, and one for Elias; not knowing what he said. (34)And as he was
thus speaking, a cloud came and overshadowed them: and they were afraid
as they were entering into the cloud. (35)And a voice came out of the
cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son; hear him. (36)And when the voice
ceased, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no
man in those days a word of the things which they had seen.
(37)And it came to pass, on the next day, when they came down from the
mountain, a great multitude met him. (38)And, behold, a man from among
the multitude cried out aloud, saying, Master, I pray thee, look upon
my son; for he is my only begotten. (39)And, behold! a spirit taketh
him, and suddenly he crieth out, and convulseth him, with foaming; and
bruising him, with difficulty retires from him. (40)And I besought thy
disciples that they would cast him out, and they could not. (41)Then
Jesus answering, said, O faithless and perverse generation! how long
shall I be with you, how long shall I bear with you? bring hither thy
son. (42)And while he was yet approaching the devil threw him down, and
violently convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and
cured the child; and restored him to his father. (43)And they were all
struck with amazement at the mighty power of God. And while they were
all wondering at the things which Jesus did, he said to his disciples,
(44)Keep ye these sayings in your ears; for the Son of man shall be
betrayed into the hands of men. (45)And they understood not that
declaration, and it was hid from them, that they should not comprehend
its meaning: and they were afraid to ask him concerning that saying.
(46)Then a dispute sprang up among them, which of them should be the
greatest. (47)But Jesus knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a
little boy, and set him by his side, (48)and said unto them, Whosoever
shall receive this little child in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever
receiveth me, receiveth Him that sent me: for he who is the least among
you all, he shall be great.
(49)Then John addressing him said, Master, we saw one casting out
devils in thy name, and we forbad him, because he followed not with us.
(50)And Jesus said to him, Forbid him not; for he that is not against
us, is for us.
(51)And it came to pass, as the days hastened to their period when he
should be received up _to glory_, that he resolutely set his face to go
to Jerusalem; (52)and sent messengers before his face; and they
advancing entered into a Samaritan village, to make preparation for
him. (53)And they would not admit him, because his face was directed to
Jerusalem. (54)And when the disciples James and John saw it, they said,
Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and
destroy them, just as Elias did? (55)And turning to them, he reproved
them, and said, Ye know not what spirit ye are of: (56)for the Son of
man came not to destroy men's lives, but to preserve them. And he
proceeded to another village. (57)And it came to pass, as they were
walking on the road, a certain person said to him, Lord, I will follow
thee whithersoever thou goest. (58)And Jesus Said to him, The foxes
have holts, and the birds of the air, nests, but the Son of man hath
not where to lay his head.
(59)And he said to another, Follow me. And he said, Lord, permit me
first to return home, and put my father in his grave. (60)And Jesus
said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but go thou,
preach the kingdom of God.
(61)Then said another, I will follow thee, Lord, but give me leave
first to bid adieu to those at my house. (62)But Jesus said unto him,
No man laying his hand on the plough, and looking to the things left
behind, is fit for the kingdom of God.